Usually, the multiplayer gamers are the ones that can boast about being hardcore. But the winning percentage for either side should hover around 50% in Evil Dead: The Game for these modes and the win rate will be a fraction of this in single-player.
There is a hint of a trial and error for Evil Dead: The Game that exists, having players gradually piece together the right way to go about business until finally perfecting it for a final run. For players that don't feel like losing over and over again, here is a strategy that should yield an early victory on this first mission.
How To Beat "If You Love Someone, Set Them Free... With A Chainsaw!"
Loot The Knowby Cabin
At the start, don't head to the checkpoint right away. There are some matchsticks, extra ammo, and, most importantly, a Shemp's Cola (by the trap door) in the household. That shotgun only starts with two shells in it and no back ammunition. Pick up all ammunition, even if it's not for the shotgun, in case of switching weapons later.
Get To Bronson Cave
Cutting down on encounters is a good idea. Some of the trees will hit the player without any ability to block the damage, so staying on the road is a wise choice. There will likely be some deadites on the path. Use a chainsaw instead of the shotgun for these first few first since ammo is limited and the chainsaw is perfect against these minions. Those who watched Bruce Campbell's gameplay session will be familiar with this attack pattern.
These low-level enemies are not strong. To minimize damage, start with a light attack, hit the button prompt for the scripted melee attack, then finish them off with a heavy attack. This combo doesn't allow them to get any hits in.
Dealing With The Cave
After finishing off the guards by the cave, Ash's fear meter should be very high. Fear will give away Ash's position to nearby deadites, so it is critical that this issue be dealt with. Thankfully, the torch right at the front of the Bronson Cave yields enough light to empty out the meter. Hang out next to it before heading inside.
Given the choice between left and right, head left. There is a single guard here with a few boxes of ammunition for the shotgun and those will come into use right now.
Go toward the objective point with the shotgun drawn. This is the time to use all those shots. The opponent in this room is a mini-boss that doesn't stagger when hit by melee weapons. Ash can dodge twice, but this deadite will be able to hit Ash before the stamina meter gets filled back up. Keep the monster at range and shoot him down, saving melee strikes for if it jumps in close.
This miniboss will appear a few more times on this map and should be dealt with this same way each time. It has the usual melee attacks and a running leap attack. If it does start to run, wait until it jumps into the air to dodge. An early dodge before this leap leads to getting caught in the radius.
The monster drops another Shemp's Cola. Go ahead and drink this one to recover from the fight, the second one will come into play later.
Take the necklace as well as the improved shotgun next to it. Stand next to the torch on the way out to keep that fear meter nice and low.
Circus Cages
The same rules and attack pattern applies here, stay on the path and don't waste shells on low-level deadites. Upon arriving at the Circus Cages, stand next to a torch (there are many, any will do) to get rid of that fear meter again.
In the room with the objective, find another Shemp's Cola and an amulet. Use the amulet immediately as it acts as another layer of health. No reason to save it for later, that's what the Shemp's Colas are for. Head toward the third point, emptying the fear meter with a nearby torch once again before setting out.
Digging Up The Body
This path is a bit longer than the others, so it requires a brief pit stop in the Demonic Treehouse. At the top of the treehouse, there is a room with a light for the fear meter and some extra ammo. At this point, players should be about topped off, which is perfect for the next two fights.
Once unearthing Linda's head, a fight will start with six opponents. One of these enemies is a mini-boss (dressed in a white t-shirt and overalls) and behaves like the last one. Use the shotgun to take it down fast from range.
Use a Shemp's Cola to recover from the fight, then head into Payne's Manor, only a few steps south from where this fight took place.
Grab The Legendary Weapons From the Manor
There is yet another mini-boss keeping guard. Just like the last two, shoot it down, use melee attacks on the rest, and head inside.
A fourth mini-boss guards the backdoor and will likely attack Ash as he uses the staircase, so be ready for that. A prompt will say to search the manor for important items. There are two major pieces to get before leaving: a legendary shotgun by the fireplace and a legendary chainsaw upstairs.
Returning To The Knowby Cabin
This is another long trek to return to the Knowby Cabin, but there is a very convenient light under a bridge halfway between. Reduce the fear meter here.
With the upgraded chainsaw, the minion deadites will now die with a light attack instead of a heavy attack for the third strike, so use this to execute the kills a bit faster. Before getting close to the point, drink any remaining Shemp's Colas, reload, and prepare for one last confrontation with a full-fledged boss.
One other minion deadite will spawn here and should be easily dispatched before the boss. The boss is all about melee attacks and will float rapidly toward Ash. At the end of these charges, it will either force Ash into a stun where it damages him or it will take a few swipes.
This is what the legendary weapons were given for. Shoot it twice with the shells, dodge, then take a swipe with the chainsaw. After only two or three waves like this, it'll go down. All that's left is to put Linda's head in the vice!
Evil Dead: The Game was released on May 13th, 2022, and is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.